When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi,
Just bought my first impreza it's a 2007 hawkeye wrx wagon. The car came with a full service history at either subaru dealership or subaru specialists timing belt and water pump changed 4k ago. It also came with over £5000 of receipts for work done over the years it's been very well looked after and I'd like to keep it that way. There is no evidence that the head gaskets have been done and its on 108,000 miles I'd like to have them done for peace of mind. Whilst I'm ***** deep in the engine is there anything else these engines are common for or anything to look out for?. I'd usually do it in the drive but never worked on a boxer engine and don't fancy making an **** of it. Is there a rough going rate for head gasket replacement on these? I've booked it into jlr services in Glasgow for a service and a check over on Tuesday if it's not too pricey I'll just leave it there and get all the work done there.
Uprated head gaskets (RCM or Cosworth) uprated head studs and genuine seal kit. Plus would be worth doing the oil pump and water pump at the same time and if the budget allows then forged pistons as the standard ones are prone to failure. Then if you do that you should do the bottom end too and the cranks cost more to regrind than buying a new one. So then you'll find it will spiral into a full engine rebuild with basic forged pistons etc. This is likely to set you back £5k with one of the more reputable Subaru builders.
On top of what you mention,minimum for me would also be looking at forged pistons, cambelt idlers, clutch if not done already.
Treat yourself to a full engine rebuild / refresh. Do it right, do it once.
Built 2.5's are fantastic fast road cars...until the block goes as I found out on my STi, that's just my bad luck - typical!
Not common though to do a block I don't think, and especially on a WRX with I assume stock power?
its a wrx id just leave it well alone and drive it, the headgaskets are not an issue on a std 2.5 wrx. I repeat if the headgaskets are not leaking do not touch them.
its a wrx id just leave it well alone and drive it, the headgaskets are not an issue on a std 2.5 wrx. I repeat if the headgaskets are not leaking do not touch them.
Thanks guys 👍 I'm looking at Arp head studs cosworth head gaskets and bottom end bearings. I've read alot of horror stories about Ringland failure would it be pointless replacing the pistons with standard replacement ones? I'd love to go forged but it's a bit out of budget as i have another project this was supposed to be a sensible daily😂. I've still to price standard pistons but If I don't have to I won't replace them. Its got a prodrive back box and some aftermarket mid section, remap by Andy forrest and a cosworth aor filter other than that it's standard engine wise.
Thanks guys 👍 I'm looking at Arp head studs cosworth head gaskets and bottom end bearings. I've read alot of horror stories about Ringland failure would it be pointless replacing the pistons with standard replacement ones? I'd love to go forged but it's a bit out of budget as i have another project this was supposed to be a sensible daily😂. I've still to price standard pistons but If I don't have to I won't replace them. Its got a prodrive back box and some aftermarket mid section, remap by Andy forrest and a cosworth aor filter other than that it's standard engine wise.
If you're doing big end bearings you'll need a new crank, full gasket and seal set and you're into a full rebuild then. At that point it will cost you so little in difference in overall cost to go for forged pistons it's not worth leaving out. Don't get me wrong, it will not be cheap to do this.
As mentioned above by 2 reputable knowledgeable members already, if it's not currently broken, then don't fix it. Drive it, enjoy it and if it breaks then fix and upgrade it or change the car. You will end up spending more on the engine refresh than the car is worth if you are doing it right.
If you're doing big end bearings you'll need a new crank, full gasket and seal set and you're into a full rebuild then. At that point it will cost you so little in difference in overall cost to go for forged pistons it's not worth leaving out. Don't get me wrong, it will not be cheap to do this.
As mentioned above by 2 reputable knowledgeable members already, if it's not currently broken, then don't fix it. Drive it, enjoy it and if it breaks then fix and upgrade it or change the car. You will end up spending more on the engine refresh than the car is worth if you are doing it right.
This has put my mind at ease alot cheers. 👍 Its booked in for a service at jlr services in Glasgow this week so I can keep up the service history. They'll give it a good once over and I'm going to ask them to road test it as it's the first subaru I've driven just to see what they make of it.
If you're doing big end bearings you'll need a new crank, full gasket and seal set and you're into a full rebuild then. At that point it will cost you so little in difference in overall cost to go for forged pistons it's not worth leaving out. Don't get me wrong, it will not be cheap to do this.
As mentioned above by 2 reputable knowledgeable members already, if it's not currently broken, then don't fix it. Drive it, enjoy it and if it breaks then fix and upgrade it or change the car. You will end up spending more on the engine refresh than the car is worth if you are doing it right.
Why do you need a new crank mate. Haven't heard that one before I know if the bearing go then its better to just replace. Genuine question.
mattyB has just listed a wrx hawk for breaking with a forged 2.5 for £2500, buy that and shove it in your garage for when yours fails (if it fails of course)
Why do you need a new crank mate. Haven't heard that one before I know if the bearing go then its better to just replace. Genuine question.
You can't just slap new bearings in, you need to re-grind the bearing journals. These days it's cheaper to buy a new genuine Subaru 2.5 crank than re-grind and go for bigger shells. So this is what most people do.
You can't just slap new bearings in, you need to re-grind the bearing journals. These days it's cheaper to buy a new genuine Subaru 2.5 crank than re-grind and go for bigger shells. So this is what most people do.
Is this only necessary when your crankshaft is badly worn? I thought your bearings would wear away quicker than the crank itself and if my bearings are fine my crank should be re usable with new standard bearings? I'm not too clued up on rebuilding engines I've only replaced them
You can't just slap new bearings in, you need to re-grind the bearing journals. These days it's cheaper to buy a new genuine Subaru 2.5 crank than re-grind and go for bigger shells. So this is what most people do.
Thought that was when the big end bearing went and damaged the crank. When you refresh a block I haven't heard of them replacing the crank too unless there was damage to it that had gone unnoticed.
Thought that was when the big end bearing went and damaged the crank. When you refresh a block I haven't heard of them replacing the crank too unless there was damage to it that had gone unnoticed.
The OP's car has done 110k miles on the original crank and big end bearings.
Hi OP (Davie?),
Why JLR out of curiosity? Never heard anyone really mention them before on the Scoobie scene, not suggesting they are no good but generally the better places are more commonly known of (FWIW) I am in Glasgow also. With these cars it is always best to use someone who is well known/respected As has been said the WRX fairs considerably better with HG than more powerful models. The price of future proofing would likely be more than the vehicle is worth. I’d personally leave it as is. Service it, enjoy it. As this is you first Scoob I’d say don’t let people talk you into/be tempted into going mad tuning it, you will spend a fortune & just risk creating some of the issues you are keen to avoid. There is a wealth of knowledge in Glasgow & the surrounding areas on Scoobs if you want it 👍🏼.
Hi OP (Davie?),
Why JLR out of curiosity? Never heard anyone really mention them before on the Scoobie scene, not suggesting they are no good but generally the better places are more commonly known of (FWIW) I am in Glasgow also. With these cars it is always best to use someone who is well known/respected As has been said the WRX fairs considerably better with HG than more powerful models. The price of future proofing would likely be more than the vehicle is worth. I’d personally leave it as is. Service it, enjoy it. As this is you first Scoob I’d say don’t let people talk you into/be tempted into going mad tuning it, you will spend a fortune & just risk creating some of the issues you are keen to avoid. There is a wealth of knowledge in Glasgow & the surrounding areas on Scoobs if you want it 👍🏼.
Alright mate how's it going 👍 I was looking online at other wrx's and what sort of remapping people were doing to them and came accross a video of two Scottish boys who were getting their dodgey remaps sorted out by jlr. They came to the house and allowed them to video the whole process I'll try and find the link. All the comments on the video were saying how good they are with subaru's. Just dropped my car off and the owner Scott was brand new, turns out he'd worked on my car before. He also said like alot of people on this thread not to replace the head gasket unless it's ****ed. He served his time with subaru's and knows them inside out I'm quite happy I've found him to be honest 😂
Hi OP (Davie?),
Why JLR out of curiosity? Never heard anyone really mention them before on the Scoobie scene, not suggesting they are no good but generally the better places are more commonly known of (FWIW) I am in Glasgow also. With these cars it is always best to use someone who is well known/respected As has been said the WRX fairs considerably better with HG than more powerful models. The price of future proofing would likely be more than the vehicle is worth. I’d personally leave it as is. Service it, enjoy it. As this is you first Scoob I’d say don’t let people talk you into/be tempted into going mad tuning it, you will spend a fortune & just risk creating some of the issues you are keen to avoid. There is a wealth of knowledge in Glasgow & the surrounding areas on Scoobs if you want it 👍🏼.
How you doing mate 👍 this wouldn't let me reply for some reason. There's a video I saw on YouTube of two boys with scoobys getting theirs mapped by Scott from jlr. A full service including coolant and clutch fluid, the sump resealed, a repair on the exhaust and a remap for £395 with the proper fluids and filters. Scott really knows his subaru's as he served his time with them. He pointed out my head gaskets have been done under warranty and advised me to leave it alone. He is brand new and really helpful I'd 100% recommend him to anyone and I'll definitely use him again for any other work needing done.
07 June 2020, 04:07 PM
Hawkeye 2.5 head gasket replacement
